Sponsors (21)
The bill prohibits federal Medicaid funding for elective abortions and restricts demonstration expansions—reducing federal abortion spending and preserving state-level control, while significantly limiting access to abortion care for low-income people and increasing financial and health inequities.
Low-income Medicaid enrollees will not have federal Medicaid dollars used to pay for elective abortions (aligns federal policy with Hyde restrictions).
States retain authority to set Medicaid coverage limits and are protected from CMS waivers that would require expanded federal abortion coverage.
Medicaid/CHIP demonstrations can still cover abortions in cases of rape or incest, to save the life of the pregnant person, and for treatment of miscarriage/ectopic pregnancy when appropriately certified.
Medicaid enrollees—especially low-income pregnant people—would be barred from using Medicaid dollars for elective abortions nationwide, substantially reducing access to abortion care.
Low-income women and families are likely to face higher out-of-pocket costs, need to travel out of state, or delay care to obtain abortions, increasing financial and logistical barriers to timely care.
Some medically necessary abortions that do not clearly meet the statute’s exemptions could be denied under §1115 demonstrations, creating ambiguity, delays, and potential harm.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Bars HHS from approving any §1115 Medicaid or CHIP demonstration that would use federal funds to cover elective abortions or abortion-related expenses, with narrow exceptions.
Official title: To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to limit demonstration projects related to abortion under Medicaid and CHIP.
Introduced January 24, 2025 by Josh Brecheen · Last progress January 24, 2025
Prohibits the HHS Secretary from approving any Medicaid (Title XIX) or CHIP (Title XXI) §1115 demonstration application or extension that would use federal Medicaid/CHIP funds to cover elective abortions or abortion-related coverage, including travel and lodging. The ban takes effect on enactment and preserves narrow exceptions for rape, incest, life-of-the-pregnant-person, and treatment for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.